LAX monitoring and consequent traffic mismanagement have worsened the already chaotic Dhaka roads. Since the political changeover on August 5, when the Awami League regime was toppled by a student-mass uprising, Dhaka roads appear to have become more chaotic, with vehicles and pedestrians showing more disregard for traffic rules. The police also appear not stringent enough in enforcing rules. Dhaka is already one of the slowest cities in the world, with an average speed of motor vehicles having been 4.5 kilometres an hour, less than the walking speed, according to the World Traffic Index. The recent intensified mismanagement has aggravated the situation. City buses, always criticised for their chaotic and unruly mode of operation, appear to have become more unruly now. Other vehicles such as privately owned cars, CNG-run auto-rickshaws and motorcycles are found to be violating traffic rules often, leading to traffic congestion. Pedestrians also observe traffic rules with rampant violation. For the past three months, rickshaws, both pedalled and battery-run, are reported to have been plying on main roads, violating rules. Such disregard for traffic rules has turned Dhaka roads deadly, too. At least 144 people died and many became injured in 131 road accidents in Dhaka only in October, as a Road Safety Foundation report says.
It was expected that the initial chaos on the road that followed the political changeover would be effectively addressed by the authorities and the police would be stringent about traffic rule enforcement. It was also expected that the government would address the perennial issues that have made Dhaka roads a nightmare. But nothing appears forthcoming. Dhaka roads are still full of unfit vehicles, driven largely by unskilled drivers who even do not have driving licences. Important city roads continue to be used for illegal parking. Many public offices also keep their vehicles on the road. Motorcycles run on the footpath, much of which are already occupied by street vendors. Pedestrians, who account for more than 20 per cent of all road accident death, show reluctance at using footbridges or footpath and often cross the road at unmarked places. The city authorities have planned to discipline the mass transport system with city route franchise for more than two decades now. But it is yet to become a reality. The authorities have also failed to run the automated traffic signals set up in different phases since 2001鈥�2002. The city traffic is still administered with manual signals, despite their risks and hazards. Manual traffic management is believed to be a major reason for the increase in accidents and traffic congestion.
The authorities need to address all the issues to make Dhaka roads safe and fast. The law enforcers need to be strict in enforcing laws to stop the violation of rules. The authorities also need to keep rickshaws off main roads and make pedestrians follow the rules.